Choker Necklaces
1980s Vintage Choker Necklaces
18k Gold
Late 20th Century American Modernist Choker Necklaces
Crystal, Pearl, Gold Plate
1980s Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald
1950s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
Mid-20th Century American Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Pearl, 14k Gold, 24k Gold, Gold-filled, Gold Plate
Mid-20th Century Art Deco Choker Necklaces
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold
1910s Victorian Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Spinel, Tourmaline, Gold
Late 20th Century Choker Necklaces
1990s Italian Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
1990s Retro Choker Necklaces
Yellow Gold
1990s Unknown Modern Choker Necklaces
Late 20th Century Unknown Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Ruby, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Choker Necklaces
White Diamond, Yellow Diamond
1970s German Art Deco Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
20th Century French Choker Necklaces
Gilt Metal
1990s French Choker Necklaces
Late 20th Century American Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
20th Century Choker Necklaces
1990s French Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
1990s French Modernist Choker Necklaces
1980s Unknown Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s German Art Deco Vintage Choker Necklaces
Silver Plate
1970s German Art Deco Vintage Choker Necklaces
Silver Plate
1980s French Vintage Choker Necklaces
Late 20th Century Dutch Choker Necklaces
Coral, Freshwater Pearl, Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold
1980s French Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Sterling Silver
1970s Unknown Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gilt Metal
1930s Anglo-Indian Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gold
1990s Unknown Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1930s American Baroque Vintage Choker Necklaces
Crystal, Cultured Pearl
1980s Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s North Korean Modernist Choker Necklaces
1980s French Art Deco Vintage Choker Necklaces
Silver Plate
1960s Italian Retro Vintage Choker Necklaces
18k Gold
1980s Vintage Choker Necklaces
1980s Vintage Choker Necklaces
1970s Modernist Vintage Choker Necklaces
Agate, Sterling Silver
Early 1900s Antique Choker Necklaces
Crystal
Mid-20th Century French Choker Necklaces
White Diamond, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Choker Necklaces
Pearl, Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Platinum
20th Century French Choker Necklaces
Gilt Metal
20th Century French Choker Necklaces
Gilt Metal
1980s Unknown Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Enamel
1980s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold
Late 20th Century Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Modernist Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1960s Modernist Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gilt Metal
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Sterling Silver
1980s American Contemporary Vintage Choker Necklaces
18k Gold
1980s French Modernist Vintage Choker Necklaces
1980s German Vintage Choker Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s German Art Deco Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
1990s American Modern Choker Necklaces
Mixed Metal
1940s American Edwardian Vintage Choker Necklaces
Crystal, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
1980s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Mixed Metal
1980s French Vintage Choker Necklaces
Garnet, Gold, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Choker Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Choker Necklaces
Vintage choker necklaces are elegant, alluring and stylish. Cameos, pearls, diamonds and other stones can decorate these necklaces, which come in single or multiple strands. Whether it is a statement piece or a delicate chain, these short necklaces always stand out and turn heads.
The history of the choker can be traced back thousands of years, with Sumerian examples discovered from 2600–2500 B.C. They endured as a popular form of adornment through the centuries, and during the French Revolution they took on a symbolic significance. Women wore ribbons around their throats to mark the passing of those killed by the guillotine. Soon, the plain ribbons were adorned with small cameos and other ornamentation.
European choker necklaces gained a salacious reputation in the 19th century when prostitutes were associated with black ribbons tied around the neck, such as the model in Édouard Manet’s Olympia (1863). Queen Alexandra, Princess of Wales, reversed the trend in the late 19th century by wearing a large pearl and diamond choker, reputedly to hide a scar.
Fashioned from gold, pearls and other precious stones and metals, chokers continued to be worn into the 20th century, alternately statements of wealth and rebellion. They experienced periods of revival in the 1920s, ’40s, ’70s and ’90s for both men and women.
Vintage chokers make a statement with an unmistakable air of femininity. On 1stDibs, find an alluring collection of vintage chokers today, including gold, sapphire and emerald chokers.